Viltrox 28mm F4.5 AF -Ultra Compact Full Frame Street Lens

[@geogu3images]

It’s nice that Viltrox made this lens in 28mm, a focal length that Sony seems to shy away from. And with that fixed f4.5 you can adjust ISO and white balance for conditions, set auto shutter and just focus on composition.

[@mattisulanto]

This is such a nice lens and for that price you can't go wrong😀

[@ly8370]

It is the kind of lens where you use it to make your way from your house to the airport, board the flight, reach your destination and change to a zoom lens for traveling. The tiny 28mm viltrox lens enables your full-frame camera to be hidden inside your pocket while you are moving around in the airport. How convenient!

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Matti, an interesting and unique looking Lens. I do like the built-in Lens Cap, very neat. You picked a Stunning location for a photo walk with beautiful buildings. Thanks for sharing Matti 😊.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! That's how Helsinki looks on a pretty day😀

[@pixelpeter3883]

Lovely rendering out of such a compact lens; lotsa character too :-)

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. It's super nice.

[@chrisbale11]

This lens has a few limitations, as it may not be the best option for shooting in bright daylight. The fixed aperture at f/4.5 could be a bit of a drawback, and it's not possible to attach a screw-in filter to mount an ND filter, unless you're okay with taping it in front of the lens, which might not look great. On the flip side, this lens is pretty cool because of its size and price!

[@chrisbale11]

Actually, Sony has a similar lens, the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6, which is already quite small. In fact, the FE 28-60mm is the smallest AF full-frame zoom lens in the world. If I'm mistaken about this, please feel free to let me know.

[@mattisulanto]

Sure, it has some limitations like every lens😀

[@chrisbale11]

@@mattisulanto I understand that every lens has limitations. Also, the current lens is still under pre-production. I'm really hoping that Viltrox will add a threaded section, which would be super useful. This thread could be used to attach a screw-in ND filter to adjust the aperture or to attach a screw-in metal hood. If Viltrox asks for your feedback, please pass along my message :)

[@WU_Foto]

This lens would not used for perfect pics! It's a lens with character, build for creativ fotographers. If you want to shoot perfect pics, there are so many "perfect" lenses with tons of weight. This little lens brings fun for streetfotographers

[@MikeBeltMikeBelt]

This lens is perfect....fun!

[@matttelz6014]

Just had the pleasure of visiting Helsinki for the first time last month. Very lovely place with great food and weather! Very enjoyable city to walk around with my A7RIII. Definitely picking up this lens so I can pocket my A7RIII and not have to worry about carrying a bag when traveling....

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed my home town.

[@arresterad3598]

hope they make it for other cameras!

[@skfineshriber]

YES! That lens on the S9. Slam dunk. But, does Panasonic not allow makers like Viltrox to sell L-mount lenses?

[@mattisulanto]

There is one Samyang lens for the L mount so it looks like there is nothing to prevent that.

[@skfineshriber]

@@mattisulanto thanks!

[@d0s25]

Are your video shots also from this lens or from other camera/lens?

[@mattisulanto]

For video I used the DJI Pocket 3 and the DJI Action 4.

[@FelipANadal]

I think I am going to get this lens with the early bird discount.

[@mattisulanto]

You can't go much wrong with this😀

[@boulderdash2000]

nice, thank you for this quick review. How about Nikon Z mount? I heard about a version for this mount, too

[@mattisulanto]

I'm pretty sure the Z version will come at some point, but right now it's only for the Sony E.

[@simply-the-max]

The fixed aperture reduces the creative choices for pictures, but even worse: it basically makes videos with the correct shutter speed impossible - especially because you cannot add ND filters. All in all still an impressive lens!

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! You are absolutely correct but then again, this is a super tiny and super affordable lens. Can't have everything😀 By the way, I saw some kind of a filter solution for this lens but forgot already where that was.

[@lorenschwiderski]

This is cool ! Will consider, if I ever go Sony.

[@mattisulanto]

Yeah, you should😀 I have a feeling this will be available for Nikon too at some point but not for Canon any time soon.

[@lorenschwiderski]

@@mattisulanto Canon 28mm takes care of things, with a little distortion in the lens, which is fixed in camera for JPGs. BTW, I have the RP and the Z5, with the winner, overall being the Nikon. Canon is not bad -- Nikon just tops it however. With the RP I got the grip -- it needs the grip, then it feels good in hand.

[@mattisulanto]

@@lorenschwiderski The Canon R 28mm is awesome.

[@1totis]

As a breakthrough, this lens product is great. However, a small-sized lens mounted on a large and fairly heavy full-frame camera, in my opinion, is not the right combination. Unless, for example, a similar lens is designed for smaller and lighter APS-C cameras.

[@cainco98]

This really is made for the A7C lines or the ZV-E1, who are APS-C sized body. Those cameras are a lot of the time deemed pointless cuz most full frame lens' sizes

[@cameraprepper7938]

That Lens will be great as a 42mm equivalent Lens on an APSC Camera !

[@mattisulanto]

It can be used like that too😀

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@mattisulanto But as always, I will wait for a much more high end model ☺

[@mattisulanto]

@@cameraprepper7938 This is not for you😀

[@ruuddirks5565]

I agree, a tiny lens on a big FF camera is not a logical combo.

[@mattisulanto]

Fortunately my camera is not big and the combo is quite nice😀

[@raulal00]

and now we have the lens for the Lumix S9 😅😂

[@raulal00]

I have written it before watch entirely and at 6:05 you said that exactly 😂😂 it is a shame that Viltrox can do this, and selling it at starting price of 99$ (so 69$/79$ on propper offers) and Panasonic that manual f8. I mean, where is the justify for the overpricing in I+D in a main company gear when a chineese third party can do this for less?

[@chrisbale11]

The lens is currently only available for Sony FE and Nikon Z mounts. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Viltrox will produce the lens for the L mount soon!

[@mattisulanto]

Based on the communication with Viltrox I understand it's only for the Sony E mount at the start. I might be wrong of course.

[@chrisbale11]

@@mattisulanto It seems a bit odd that some websites mentioned both "Nikon mount" and "Sony mount," but you are correct. The Indiegogo launch is only offering the Sony mount.

[@ProbablyAnAmateur]

looks like a digestive biscuit 🍪 probably not good for the teeth if they made it a teensy thicker they could've fit in variable aperture

[@mattisulanto]

Digestive biscuits are light brown in color and not so good for your teeth either😀 This looks more like an Oreo cookie which certainly is not good for your teeth or your health😀

[@petercraven7930]

Warning: The copy they shipped to me is not functional. Viltrox customer service is basically a bunch of internet trolls!

[@chowmeinpapi]

Dead on arrival? What’s wrong with it? Mine is expected to arrive 11/12!!!

[@petercraven7930]

@ auto focus not working and camera does not recognize the lens is attached. It is literally a paperweight, completely NON functional

[@benjamindover4337]

Imagine putting this on an old NEX camera.. Hopefully Sony will make cameras like that again.

[@mattisulanto]

The NEX series was the predecessor of the A6xxx series and I don't think Sony is going to go back to that.

[@benjamindover4337]

​@@mattisulantoyes, I realized that the zve10 is the same size as the NEX cameras, so I guess they are still making them in a way

[@boriskhalkhal9163]

indeed this guy is on it's way to my daughter's NEX-3N :)

[@younvshe]

You are a professional photographer. Please calculate the full-frame equivalent aperture value of the main camera of the mobile phone. Then I want to ask how the picture quality is better than that of the mobile phone. And you also lose more shutter speed with an additional device. volume

[@mattisulanto]

I'm a photographer and not a mathematician😀 To me photography is not about pointless (to me) calculations. However, if you like to play with numbers and equivalencies feel free to do it. Everyone can choose whatever camera they like. I don't care if you shoot on a phone camera or some other camera as long you are a happy photographer😀

[@ruffmadman]

Your comment comes off as quite rude. It's not feasible to calculate the mobile phone equivalent as many phones use different sensor sizes. Also, this is a lens for a dedicated mirrorless camera. It's going to be leaps and bounds better than any mobile phone for decades going forward.